Cairo Prince Continues to Tune Up for Florida Derby

Cairo Prince continued his preparations for the $1 million Besilu
Stables Florida Derby (G1) on March 29 by breezing a sharp five furlongs
Saturday morning at Palm Meadows, Gulfstream Park’s satellite training
facility in Palm Beach County.

Working in company with 4-year-old multiple stakes winner Long River,
Cairo Prince was clocked in 59.95 seconds in his first five-eighths
work since romping in the $400,000 Miller Lite Holy Bull (G2) on Jan.
25. It was the fastest breeze of 35 horses on the day.

“He worked very well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “It was a
little faster than we wanted this far out, but yet we wanted a decent
work. It was a great work. He worked excellent and everything went well.
We were all very happy, and we’ll probably not go in company next week
because we’re looking for a 1:01 and change. But, he worked
great.”

Cairo Prince has now worked three times since the Holy Bull, his
second Grade 2 victory and a performance that made him one of the
leading prospects for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3. He had two
similar breezes prior to the Holy Bull, going five furlongs in 59.70 on
Jan. 5 and 59.90 on Jan. 12, both bullets.

“He is just doing very well,” McLaughlin said. “I did put him in
company, and he always works better in company, a little faster. It was
really a great day. It was a great work, and we’re all thrilled. It was
perfect, really, just a little bit faster than maybe I wanted but that’s
been him. Going into the Holy Bull, too, he went in 59 and three, 59
and four. That’s a good sign.”

Earlier this week, a majority interest in Cairo Prince was sold to
Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum’s Darley operation by owners Terry Murray,
Paul Braverman, Harvey Clarke and Craig Robertson, who purchased the
3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile for $250,000 at the 2012 Keeneland
September yearling sale. Cairo Prince will remain with McLaughlin but
run in the colors of Godolphin Stable.

“I’ve been involved with Darley and Sheikh Mohammed for 20 years.
He’s a great person to have involved with the horse going to the
Kentucky Derby,” McLaughlin said. “I’m very thankful that the four
gentlemen got together with Darley. There was a lot of interest in the
horse, a lot of people trying to offer money for him.

“I’m very happy that they ended up with Darley because I love the
horse, and I’m hopeful that we’re one of the favorites for the Florida
Derby and also the Kentucky Derby. It would be fabulous to be standing
in the winner’s circle with these four owners plus the new partner in
Sheikh Mohammed. It’s just a perfect case scenario for Team McLaughlin
and, hopefully, for Cairo Prince.”